NATICK, Mass. – If you work at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center, or DEVCOM SC, chances are you know Beverly Lange. Lange is a friendly presence on post, and she is known for her human resource expertise — including everything from recruitment to retirement. Lange recently celebrated her 50th anniversary of working at DEVCOM SC, an organization of about 700 civilian employees.
Lange, who everyone calls “Bev,” is known for her pleasant demeanor, outstanding work ethic, extensive knowledge of human resources, and her willingness to answer any and all questions. She is extremely modest about the important role she plays at DEVCOM SC, but her positive impact on the organization and the working lives of DEVCOM SC employees cannot be overstated.
Douglas Tamilio, director of DEVCOM SC, has high praise for Lange.
“Bev’s dedication and hard work, combined with her unparalleled human resource expertise, have contributed greatly to our top-notch organization,” said Tamilio. “Her work enables our employees to focus on ensuring our warfighters are protected, optimized and lethal.”
Lange’s major duties include preparing personnel actions for DEVCOM SC employees, and assisting managers with recruitment and staffing needs, as well as providing guidance and assistance to employees on a wide variety of personnel-related topics.
“It is very satisfying when I am able to answer employees’ questions and provide them with the information they need,” said Lange. “I appreciate the opportunity to help our employees, and I hope that the assistance I give them takes a little burden or stress from their day so they can continue to do great things for the Army.”
Lange began her career at DEVCOM SC, an organization that has had several different names over the years, as a clerk-stenographer in August 1974. At the time, she wasn’t aware that there was an Army installation in Natick, Massachusetts, and she found out about it when she took a civil service exam in high school and filled out a job application. After graduation she was contacted for a job interview and her career at the installation began.
“Back in 1974, I never thought that 50 years later I would still be working at Natick, but it has been a wonderful journey,” said Lange.
Along her journey, she has helped numerous people navigate personnel issues.
“If I can help to make their job or their life a little easier, that makes me feel that I’ve done a good job,” said Lange. “When I first started in G-1 Human Resources, I handled student actions, so it is wonderful to see some of our former students who are pursuing careers at Natick and are contributing so much to the organization.”
The program specialist has seen a lot of changes over the years, including changes in technology.
“In 1974 we were using typewriters and faxes,” said Lange. “We only had two copy machines for the entire organization and we hand-carried paperwork all over post. We even had a supply store on post where we picked up office supplies. All that has been replaced by computers, email, pdf files, copy machines in almost every office and ordering supplies on-line. What could be considered as ‘social media’ in 1974 consisted of walking over to someone’s desk and having a conversation and perhaps showing them your latest family or vacation photos — which were printed by developing film from a camera.”
During her career, Lange has also witnessed firsthand the evolving roles of women.
“When I first started at Natick, women mostly worked in secretarial or business positions,” said Lange. “There were not many women scientists or engineers, and I don’t think we even had any women team leaders until a few years later. We now have a workforce where women work in many different occupations. There are more female team leaders, women occupy high level leadership positions, and there are many more women in the military serving our country.”
She is proud to serve an organization that serves the warfighter.
“It is extremely rewarding to be part of an organization that does so much to support our warfighters,” said Lange. “I am proud to say that I am a member of the DEVCOM Soldier Center workforce, and I enjoy being able to tell others about all the great things that Natick does.”
Working in human resources, Lange has observed firsthand how everyone’s job at DEVCOM SC plays an integral role in the organization’s success.
“We wouldn’t be the organization we are without everyone’s skills and expertise,” said Lange. “Also, the longer I work at Natick the more thankful and appreciative I am for all our service members. They are the reason we do what we do. What better mission could there be then to provide them with the best that we all have to offer.”
Even though Lange has hit the fifty-year mark in her career, she isn’t planning to retire anytime soon.
“I am honored to be able to contribute to the mission of the DEVCOM Soldier Center,” said Lange. “I am thankful for being able to work at such a unique organization for so many years. My 50-year journey has given me the opportunity to work with and get to know so many wonderful people and to see all the amazing work they do and all the great products that they develop for the military. I am proud to be part of an organization whose mission is to support our servicemen and women.”
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About DEVCOM Soldier Center: The DEVCOM Soldier Center is committed to discovering, developing, and advancing science and technology solutions that ensure America’s warfighters are optimized, protected and lethal. DEVCOM Soldier Center supports all of the Army's Modernization efforts, with the Soldier Lethality and Synthetic Training Environment Cross Functional Teams being the DEVCOM Soldier Center’s chief areas of focus. The center’s science and engineering expertise are combined with collaborations with industry, DOD and academia to advance Soldier and squad performance. The center supports the Army as it transforms from being adaptive to driving innovation to support a Multi-Domain Operations Capable Force of 2028 and a MDO Ready Force of 2035. DEVCOM Soldier Center is constantly working to strengthen Soldiers’ performance to increase readiness and support for warfighters who are organized, trained, and equipped for prompt and sustainable ground combat.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) outreach and mentoring the next generation of scientists and engineers are also an important part of the mission of DEVCOM Soldier Center. The mentoring of students by Army scientists and engineers benefits the students and their communities. It also increases young people's awareness of potential Army job opportunities and helps provide the Army with potential new talent, helping to fuel innovative ideas that benefit the nation's warfighters and the nation as a whole.
The DEVCOM Soldier Center is part of DEVCOM. The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, known as DEVCOM, is Army Futures Command’s leader and integrator within a global ecosystem of scientific exploration and technological innovation. DEVCOM expertise spans eight major competency areas to provide integrated research, development, analysis and engineering support to the Army and DOD. From rockets to robots, drones to dozers, and aviation to artillery, DEVCOM innovation is at the core of the combat capabilities American Warfighters need to win on the battlefield of the future. For more information, visit devcom.army.mil.
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